Captain Kieran Read has been declared fit to lead the Crusaders against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning.

The All Blacks No 8, who missed last weekend's 28-7 win over the Lions because of concussion, has trained well with the squad in South Africa this week and takes his place in the starting lineup.

Luke Whitelock, who started at the back of the scrum in the absence of Read last weekend, has been sent home because of a knee injury however. Wider training group loose forward Jed Brown has replaced him in the squad but will be suited-up for the Cheetahs clash.

Coach Todd Blackadder has rotated several members of his front row with Corey Flynn starting at hooker, in place of Ben Funnell, and Nepo Laulala coming in ahead of Owen Franks.

Willi Heinz has been awarded the No 9 jersey ahead of Andy Ellis who was one of the Crusaders' best players in the victory over the Lions in Johannesburg.